Speaker(s)

Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships:Nothing to disclose

This session will discuss key principles in incorporating meaning into the activity program for residents living with dementia, which in turn improves quality of life and decreases distress, thereby reducing the need for antipsychotics. As we take away many of the antipsychotics, residents with dementia “come alive” and have a need to interact with their environment and their caregivers. Layering activities, theme bags/stations, Spark of Life, and the Montessori method are four approaches that will be discussed and demonstrated in this session. To engage people living with dementia, we must increase sensory input and create a “yes” environment. These approaches employ specific tools that can allow this to happen. When residents living with dementia experience meaning in their daily interactions with staff and their environment, their distress decreases, staff satisfaction increases, and the overall care environment improves.

Learning Objectives:

List four techniques that can be incorporated into the activity program to decrease distress in those living with Dementia

Demonstrate how to modify activity techniques and staff interaction to encourage meaningful engagement

Describe key components that contribute to success in developing an activity program for those living with Dementia

Dusty Linn, LCSW, CDP, AC-BC, CVW, PAC Trainer

Dusty Linn is a Licensed Clincial Social Worker, a Certified Dementia Practitioner, Activity Consultant-Board Certified, Certified Validation Worker and a Positive Approach to Brain Change Instructor who currently works at Dusty Linn Consulting, Inc. She has worked in Long Term Care for almost 20 years. She practices as a Social/ Activity/Dementia Consultant and Educator in the state of Arkansas and has conducted the Certification course for Activity Directors and the course for Social Service Directors through the Arkansas Health Care Association in the state of Arkansas. She has worked on grants in the efforts to reduce the use of antipsychotics in residents with Dementia and regularly presents to various audiences and nursing home companies on various topics in Long Term Care. She has presented at the Eden Alternative conference and the Pioneer Network as well as Health Care Associations in multiple states regarding Dementia Care, Activity Development and Social Service Issues.